ILO finds 29pc 'key workers' in world low paid.

ISLAMABAD -- Across the world, 29 pc of key workers are low paid, and on average, such workers earn 26pc less than other employees, with only two-thirds of this gap being accounted for education and experience, the International Labour OrganAisation (ILO) says in a new report released on Wednesday.

The report, 'World Employment and Social Outlook 2023: The Value of Essential Work', says in food systems, the share of low paid key employees is particularly high, at 47pc, and in cleaning and sanitation, it is 31pc.

Nearly one third key workers is on a temporary contract, although there are considerable country and sectoral differences. In the food industry, 46pc are in temporary jobs. One-in-three employees in manual occupations and in cleaning and sanitation are on temporary contracts.

Cleaning and security work is commonly outsouArced, and other key occupations are routinely staffed with agency workers. This is particularly the case in warehousing and increasingly so in healthcare.

More than 46pc key employees in low-income countries work long hours.

Long working hours are more common in transportation, where around 42pc key workers work more than 48 hours a week. A substantial share of key workers around the world also have irregular schedules or short hours.

Nearly 60pc key workers in low- and middle-income countries lack some form of social protection. In low-income...